Potential drought conditions in British Columbia have made this one of the driest fire seasons in recent memory.

The fire danger rating for the area around campus is currently high and Campus Security would like to remind the campus community to be extra vigilant with any flammable materials.

With the close-knit urban-wild land interface on this campus, fires often start as small accidental ignitions. UBC Okanagan has already seen one on-campus grass fire this year, and there is concern that this could happen again if members of the campus community aren’t extremely careful.

Fire can quickly spread to surrounding grasslands, forests, and even buildings. The landscaped mulch beds near the student residence buildings and throughout campus are also extremely vulnerable to catching fire.

Campfires are also not allowed anywhere on campus. And smoking should be confined to designated areas with appropriate disposal.

If you see smoke where it shouldn’t be, call 911 and report it to Campus Security at 250-807-8111 or local 78111.